How to treat Valium addiction

Do you suspect you or a loved one are addicted to Valium?

If yes, then read on. Seeking treatment for any kind of chemical addiction can be hard and overwhelming, but the benefits are long lasting. But Valium addiction treatment is more than just knowing you are dependent on Valium or learning how to quit taking Valium. Explore Valium addiction treatments and know where to ask for help here. We also invite any questions and experience you have treating Valium addiction at the end.

Am I addicted to Valium?

It’s hard to pinpoint Valium addiction in many cases because Valium may not be the only drug of abuse. When someone is using Valium, people are usually abusing or are addicted to another substance, alcohol being one of them. As you look for signs of Valium addiction you may be looking for a larger addiction pattern. Symptoms and signs to look for include the following:

disruption of social life: loss of friend and family because of Valium use

finding ways to get Valium by any means (prescription shopping, illegal means, etc.)

taking Valium becomes more important than other aspects of life

taking Valium to avoid withdrawal symptoms

taking Valium to self-medicate anxiety

But recognizing symptoms of Valium addiction is not enough to treat addiction. A clear desire to treat addiction and wanting help needs to be present before you can start the process of treating any drug addiction. However, if a loved one is suffering addiction and an intervention has taken place, involuntary treatment can still be effective.

Treating valium addiction

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan for treating Valium addition. Treatment needs to be tailored to the individual and what they need in order to be successful. In general, most experts agree on that behavioral and pharmaceutical interventions for Valium addiction are a good starting point.

1. Medications for Valium addiction treatment

Before proceeding with medications to treat Valium addiction, the most important procedure for treating Valium addiction is the process of tapering diazepam. During tapering, you slowly lowering diazepam doses over the course of 4-16 weeks. With each reduction, you are allowed to get over the worst of the withdrawal symptoms before proceeding. Most sources recommend ‘titrating’ reductions of 0.5-2.5 mg diazepam, depending on how well the previous reduction was tolerated. The first reduction of diazepam may be as much as a quarter of the starting dose. Successive reductions follow until withdrawal symptoms are experienced at which point smaller reductions are made.

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So what medications can treat withdrawal symptoms from Valium or post-detox discomfort? Propranolol has been found to have a limited impact on the severity of withdrawal symptoms but does not affect their frequency. Antidepressant drugs have also been indicated in some cases. For persistent and distressing insomnia as a result of benzodiazepine withdrawal, non-benzodiazepine hypnotics such as promethazine or chlormethiazole have been prescribed. Clearly, however, the substitution of one drug for another raises the possibility of further psychological dependence. It is important that these medications be closely monitored so that you do not replace one addiction with another. Plus, keep in mind that medications only offer you little in terms of alternative coping strategies. This is where behavioral therapies come in.

2. Behavioral treatments for Valium addiction

Behavioral therapies include; individual/group counseling and support groups. There are varies methods that therapy employs and we are sure that one of them will work for you. They will help address any underlying contributing issues that contribute to the reason you are addicted or why you find yourself exhibiting addictive behaviors.

Help for Valium addiction

In general there are many ways to treat addiction. The process can be overwhelming and daunting. So, take it one step at a time. With determination you can be free of Valium and your life will benefit greatly from this choice. You can ask for help for Valium addiction from the following sources:

Valium addiction treatment centers: An addiction treatment center pulls together various supports to treat addiction under one roof. Valium addiction treatment centers are usually in contact with detox centers and offer an isolated environment away from the stress of life. This way you can focus on yourself using a holistic approach to your physical and mental health.

Valium detox clinic: Detox centers are places for people to go when they have decided to stop taking Valium. Here they are monitored as they begin and go through withdrawal from valium. Withdrawal from Valium is uncomfortable and painful and because of this relapse is more likely to occur. Detox makes continued abstinence from Valium more likely. Medical staff may also administer medications to ease the severity of Valium withdrawal. Once the worst of the withdrawal has been managed, seeking treatment facilities or psychological support is the next step in treating Valium addiction.

Clinical mental health professionals: Some psychologists and psychiatrists specialize in Valium addiction treatment, or drug addiction generally. In fact, there is a network of psychologists and physiatrist out there that work only in the field of addiction. Theses trained specialists can help any underlying mental condition. Talk therapy has been proven to be a powerful help in maintaining your ability to stay away from Valium. Additionally, psychiatrists who are medical doctors can help diagnose, prescribe and treat possible anxiety or mental health disorders with necessary medicationsso that you are not dependent on Valium for taking care of anxiety.

Valium addiction support groups: Working with other people lets you know you’re not the only one suffering from addiction. Comradely helps develop a community of support. There are hundreds of support groups offered through health departments and spiritual organization with many different philosophies. Find what works for you and your lifestyle.

Licensed clinical social workers: Social workers trained in psychotherapy are another support on the front line for drug addiction treatment. Licensed clinical social workers are usually present during the transition period between treatment facilities and can help you reintegrate into your normal day to day routine. Social workers can also connect you with broader community resources and advocate for your treatment.

Your physician: Your physician can be your an integralcontact in addiction treatment. Family doctors or general pratitioners can help you find the support you need in order to treat Valium addiction. If your doctor initially helped you treat anxiety they may be able to help taper your Valium doses to make it a little easier to treat Valium addiction.

A trusted religious or spiritual leader: Religious and spiritual leaders can help put you in contact with support or can address the psychological aspect of addiction, especially if you can’t afford traditional routes of treatment. It has also been said that these communities increase success of maintaining a Valium free life.

How to treat Valium addiction questions

Do you still have questions about treating Valium addiction? Please share your questions and experiences with treating Valium addiction in the comments section below. We’ll try to respond to your questions personally and promptly.

The best treatment for Valium should really be customized to the person being treated. There is no cookie cutter solution. A combination of physical and psychological changes needs to occur.

Linda

5:21 pm February 18th, 2015

Hi. Thank you for your response. I felt I was all alone in my problem. The receptionist at my PA’s office had hung up on me, told me if I come in to see Susan, that I couldn’t talk about Valium withdrawal. My friends do not want to talk about it. I then reached to you for Internet help. I am having really bad withdrawal symptoms, and fear of the longevity of these symptoms may turn into permanent damage. I don’t get help. Going cold turkey was a mistake my body may have to pay. I called my PA 2 weeks ago, wishing to go back on with a slow reduction, and was refused. Then I called a week ago, again was refused. I am lost. Went through the cracks. I called an 800 number online and got big racket of $15,000 clinics to go to. I can’t afford that. Any suggestions? I have numbness of my body, uncontrolled muscle jerking, pins and needles, hot burning muscles. Thank you. Linda

Linda

5:49 pm February 18th, 2015

Hi again. If you will see in my previous message, I forgot to add that my PA does not think my numbness has anything to do with my getting off Valium. So she is sending me to a neurologist. I go Monday, but don’t think that is the answer. I believe it is very much so connected to my going cold turkey with Valium, and my PA doesn’t agree. What can I do. I want to go back on and reduce in a slow method, but Susan won’t let me. I only fear my numbness won’t go away this way. Thanks. Any ideas?

Hi Linda. I apologize it took so much time to write back. How did the test results from the neurologist come back? You should be over the withdrawal period by now, so how are you feeling? Is the numbness gone?

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